The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 22-member squad for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand. In a further process, the SLC will select 15 players from this squad for the forthcoming Test series.
Read More : Rishabh Pant Breaks MS Dhoni Record During 3rd T20I Facing West Indies
From the 14th August 2019, Sri Lanka will host the two-match Test series against New Zealand. Like the visiting side, Sri Lanka will also begin their journey in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (2019-21) from this series. Galle will host the first Test of this series (14-18 August) while they will play the last Test at Colombo’s P. Sara Oval (22-26 August).
Dimuth Karunaratne will continue his leadership role in the upcoming Test series. Under his captaincy, Sri Lanka impressively won their last Test series in South Africa. In last February, Sri Lanka played a two-match Test series against the hosts South Africa. Sri Lanka became the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa as they won that series by 2-0.
Apart from a few big returns, two uncapped players are also in the Sri Lanka squad
Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Kumara have returned to the Test squad for the forthcoming home Test series.
The former captain Angelo Mathews is also in this Test squad. The experienced Sri Lankan cricketer missed the South Africa tour due to the hamstring injury.
In last December, Akila Dananjaya faced the ICC suspension for illegal bowling action. The upcoming Test series is going to be his first Test series after remodelling his bowling action. However, after remodelling his bowling action, he has already played ODIs and T20Is.
Among the 22-member Test squad, Shehan Jayasuriya and Asitha Fernando are the two uncapped Test players. The 22-year-old right-arm pacer Asitha Fernando has played only ODI. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old all-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya has played 10 ODIs and 11 T20Is.
Sri Lanka’s 22-member squad for the upcoming home Test series: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Angelo Perera, Oshada Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando.